Dear Cooperative Members,
As we reflect on the past year and look ahead, I want to personally thank each of you for your continued trust and support. Your engagement and commitment have helped Chariton Valley Telephone Corporation remain a leader in rural broadband innovation and community service.
2024: A Year of Growth and Resilience
In 2024, we completed a 110-mile fiber construction project in Jacksonville, ensuring 100% of our members now have access to Gigabit fiber services. Our network now spans 2,475 fiber miles across 1,300 square miles, and we’ve welcomed over 2,600 new members in the past five years. We also launched a $3 million network upgrade and began a network-wide router replacement initiative to support growing online demands. This project is scheduled for completion in September 2025.
Our subsidiary, Chariton Valley Communications Corporation (CVCC), expanded its footprint to 3,000 fiber miles across 1,600 square miles, adding over 9,000 customers. These investments are not just about infrastructure; they’re about empowering our communities with reliable connectivity for remote work, virtual learning, telehealth, and economic development.
2025 Supreme Court Ruling on the Universal Service Fund: A Pivotal Moment
On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in FCC v. Consumers’ Research, affirming the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund. This ruling ensures that the USF—an $9 billion-a-year program—can continue supporting affordable broadband access for rural communities, low-income households, schools, libraries, and hospitals.
This ruling is a victory for rural America. It secures the funding mechanisms that help cooperatives like ours deliver affordable, high-quality services to underserved areas. It also reinforces our role in shaping national broadband policy and advocating for equitable access to broadband.
Our Commitment Moving Forward
We remain steadfast in our mission to invest in your cooperative, ensuring that Chariton Valley remains a strong company. Chariton Valley acquired a local Managed Service Provider, establishing an additional subsidiary company, thereby increasing its diversity and the range of services offered. We’re continuing to ensure our voice is heard at the federal, state, and local levels, including participation in NTCA forums and advocacy days at the Capitol.
We are proud to announce the distribution of over $2.1 million in capital credits this year, a testament to our financial strength and cooperative values. Whether through bill credits or mailed checks, these distributions reflect our commitment to returning value to our members.
In closing, thank you for being part of a cooperative that leads with purpose, invests with vision, and serves with heart. Together, we are building a future where your Cooperative thrives.
Warm regards,
Ryan Johnson
President & CEO
